Regulator and dispensing system



y 1966 G, A KLASSON ETAL 3,259,274

REGULATOR AND DISPENSING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1964 INVENTORJ. fieorge A Klauzyan A: cfzzwzm WMZZJ ATJmZ VEX July 5, 1966 G. A KLASSON ETAL 3,

REGULATOR AND DISPENSING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1964 y 1966 G. A KLASSON ETAL 3,

REGULATOR AND DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 21, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATZ'URZVEX.

United States Patent O 3,259,274 REGULATOR AND DISPENSING SYSTEM George A. Klasson, South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and Justin W. Mills, Macungie, Pa., assignors to Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Emrnaus, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 339,150 Claims. (Cl. 22248) The present invention relates to an improved system for dispensing liquid at a regulated pressure and, more particularly, to a miniaturized portable beverage dispensing system specifically designed for home use by a retail purchaser.

Although the present invention has obvious utility for dispensing a large variety of liquids from a container under pressure, the subsequent description will be set forth with particular reference to the dispensing of a beverage from a small keg wherein special problems are solved by the complete system as well as by the design of individual components.

Among other problems involved in the dispensing of beverages such as draught beer from portable, home-use type units, the following are of particular importance. First, the entire system must be absolutely harmless and fail-safe in order to guarantee the safety of the consumer. This requirement poses critical problems due to the fact that, in order to be technologically and economically feasible, the pressurizing source must be at an initial pressure in the order of several hundred p.s.i. and the everpresent danger of excessive heating of the system due to fire or other causes must be provided for while maintaining the requirements of a small, light-weight and highly portable unit.

Secondly, the entire system must be essentially simple, easy to operate and foolproof so that the retail purchaser can operate the system with complete safety, assurance, and confidence without any experience whatsoever with tapping or operating commercial dispensing systems. Of course, this includes operation by children when the keg contains root beer or other beverages suitable for consumption by minors.

Thirdly, the system must be reusable. Therefore, it must be rugged, compact and easily refillable. Since it is concerned with beverages for human consumption, the system must comply with all health codes concerning processing, rewashing, and sterilizing prior to each use. This requires that the system be capable of disassembly and reassembly within a minimum amount of time and that it be compatible with mechanized refilling machines.

A fourth problem resides in the fact that it is highly desirable for the consumer to know the amount of beverage which is present at all times during use although the high pressures and tendency of the beverage to foam prevent the use of conventional liquid level gauges.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invent-ion to provide a dispensing system which successfully solves all of the problems inherent in the criteria set forth hereinabove as well as providing more specific advantages as will become more fully apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the system assembled as a unit within a carrying case, the side of the case being removed for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the unit shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the pressure regulating components of the system illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the pressure 3,259,274 Patented July 5, 1966 ice regulator shown in the preceding figures including modifying features thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

- FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by line 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by line 7-7 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the details of the miniature valves illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 5 through 7.

Referring first to FIGURES l and 2, the complete unit includes a casing 10, a suspension system 25, a keg 35, a pressure source such as a C0 bottle 4%, a bottle valve 45, a filter-adapter unit 60, a pressure regulator 70, a check valve-adapter unit 115, and associated piping connections and CO tap 130. Each of these components will now be described in detail including modifications thereof followed by -a complete description of the operation of the complete system.

Casing It) is in the form of a rectangular box and includes a base 11, a top 12, a pair of side walls 13 and 14, and a pair of front and back end walls 15 and 16, respectively. Casing 10 is preferably composed of shockresistant plastic or, alternatively, it may be composed of aluminum or reinforced cardboard, pressed-board, or the like. Regardless of the composition, the corners are preferably rounded for purposes of both safety and appearance, and a handle 17 is secured within a depression 20 which is formed in the upper right-hand corner of the casing as viewed in FIGURE 2. Right side wall 14 and top 12 are preferably made integral to form a cover 21 which is hinged to the left side wall 13 by a piano-type hinge 18 so that the casing opens substantially in half to thereby facilitate removal and replacement of the interior components either individually or as a complete system. A latch or lock 19 of conventional construction is secured to base 11 for holding the cover in closed position during both carrying and use of the unit.

A keg 35 containing the beverage to be dispensed is contained within casing 10 and supported therein by a suspension system 25 which includes a cradle 26 resting upon one or more springs 27. A horizontally extending torsion bar 28 is supported in a pair of bearings 29 so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis. One end of bar 28 is bent so as to form an arm 30 which passes through a slot in a tab 31 secured to the underneath side of cradle 26. The opposite end of bar 28 is bent to form an indicator needle 32 which registers the weight :of the keg with respect to a scale 33 imprinted on the front of keg 35. It will therefore be apparent that the suspension system forms a weighing scale which indicates the amount of beverage remaining in the keg during use. A plurality of cushions 34 are also provided in the space between the keg and the casing to retain the keg on the cradle while carrying the unit.

Keg 35 is of conventional construction and includes a tap 36 comprising a handle portion 37, a spigot 38, and an internal tube 39 which extends to the bottom of the keg. Since the tap is of conventional construction a further recitation of the details thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 wherein the components are illustrated approximately twice their actual size, the

contained on the reduced diameter portion 46 of bottle valve unit 45. At this point it is to be understood that the bottle 40 and the valve unit 45 are threadedly engaged with the application of considerable force at the initial time of manufacture so that the valve unit is virtually unseparable from the bottle thereafter. In addition, this joint may be brazed or otherwise permanently joined so that there is no possibility of the bottle becoming separated from valve unit 45 the latter of which not only functions as a closure for the bottle but also serves'as a rupture-type safety valve.

In addition to small diameter portions 46, valve 45 includes an enlarged body portion 48 which contains a counterbore t) aligned with a central bore 49 extending throughout the length of the unit. Bore 49 is provided with threads 58 which secure a miniature stem valve 56 within the bore. The details of valve 56 will be subsequently described with reference to FIGURE 8, however, at this point, it should be noted that valve 56 controls the flow of pressurizing fluid out of bottle 40 through bore 4-9 and that the valve stem 57 is positioned for engagement by filter-adaptor unit 60 as will subsequently be described in detail.

The enlarged body portion 48 of valve unit 45 contains a threaded socket 52 which receives and secures a retainer 53 having a fusible plug 54 contained within a central bore of the retainer. The retainer abuts a rupture disc 55 so as to close lateral port 51 which communicates with bore 49. Plug 54- is composed of a material having a known melting point such that, in the event of excessive heating, the plug melts and disc 55 ruptures thereby releasing the internal bottle pressure. Thus, there is no danger of the bottle exploding even if the system is subjected to extreme conditions such as fire.

It will also be noted that a small, radially extending bleed passage 59 is provided in the left end of unit 45 as viewed in FIGURE 3. This passage provides for the controlled release of trapped pressure upon disconnection of the bottle from the system as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Filter-adaptor unit 60 includes a pair of threaded end portions 61 and 62 of reduced diameter and a central portion 63 of enlarged diameter. The external surface of portion 63 is of polygonal shape so as to be gripped by a wrench during the initial assembly of the system. A central bore 64 extends throughout the major portion of length of the adaptor and communicates with a plurality of ports 65 which are drilled at an angle to the axis of the bore thereby forming a central, abutment portion 66. Abutment 66 is adapted to engage and depress stem 57 of valve 56 when end 61 is fully threaded into counterbore 50 of valve unit 45. Thus, valve 56 is held open so long as units 45 and 60 are assembled.

The portion of bore 64 extending through end 62 is enlarged so as to receive a filter 67 which may be composed of porous material such as sintered metal. Filter 67 is removably secured in position as, for example, by a retainer ring 68. The primary purpose of filter 67 is to prevent the passage of liquid CO into the regulator as will be subsequently described in the operation of the system. It will also be noted that an O-ring 69 is provided in a groove in filter-adaptor unit 60 so as to prevent the escape of pressurizing fluid between this unit and valve unit 45.

Regulator 76 will now be described with particular reference to FIGURES 3-7 which illustrate the same regulator adapted for fixed pressure operation as shown in FIGURE 3 or variable pressure operation as shown in FIGURES 4 through 7. This regulator includes a twopart casing comprising a body portion 71 and a domeshaped cover 72 the peripheral edges of which are permanently secured together by rivets 73. The dome-shaped cover 72 forms a spring chamber 74 which is in communication with atmosphere through a port 75 while body portion 71 is provided with a recess forming a pressure control chamber 76. Chambers 74 and 76 are separated by an impermeable, flexible diaphragm 77 the peripheral edges of which are securely clamped between the cover and body portions. The central portion of the diaphragm is secured to a disc 78 by a large headed rivet 79 in order to provide a backing member against which bears the lower end of a compression spring 80.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein the regulator operates at a fixed pressure, the upper end of spring 80 bears against a plate 81a having a depressed central portion which abuts the rounded end of a screw 82a threaded into cover 72. Screw 82a is adjusted at the time of manufacture so as to exert a predetermined biasing force on diaphragm 77 and the head of the screw is then covered with a wax or plastic sealant 83a so that the user cannot tamper with the setting of the regulator.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 4 through 7 wherein the regulator is adapted for variable pressure regulation, the upper end of spring 80 bears against a plate 81b which is secured to an adjustment screw 82b as by peening the end of the screw. A handle 83b is secured to the external end of screw 82b so that the biasing force of spring 80 may be manually adjusted between fixed limits. These limits are defined by the abutment of handle 8311 against the external surface of cover 72 for maximum spring compression and by the abutment of plate 81b against the internal surface of cover 72 for minimum spring compression. At this point, it is to be understood that the pitch of the threads on screw 8211 are selected such that only one revolution of 83b is possible between the above-defined limits. Thus, indicia means 84a may be provided on the handle and a reference mark 84b may be provided on cover 72 so as to indicate the possible settings of the regulator; the correlation between these settings and the resultant operation being deferred for subsequent description in detail.

The remainder of the details of the regulator are identical in both embodiments and these Will now he described with reference to FIGURES 3 through 7 wherein body portion 71 is shown to include threaded inlet and outlet connections 85 and 86, respectively. Inlet connection 85 is in communication with a blind, vertical bore 87 through a passage 88, whereas outlet connection 86 is in communication with control chamber 78 through a passage 89.

As most clearly shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the upper end of bore 87 includes a tapered portion 90 and a threaded, counter-bored portion 91 the latter of which extends upward'ly into communication with control chamber 76. Threaded portion 91 is adapted to receive a miniature stem-type valve 92 which is identical to previously mentioned valve 56. As shown most clearly in enlarged FIGURE 8, the valve includes a cylindrical body 93, a valve head 94 and a stem 95 which extends throughout the length of the valve and externally thereof. An internally disposed spring 96 Ibiases the valve head toward seating engagement with the lower end of body 93 so that the valve is closed and high pressure fluid cannot flow internally of the valve. The mid-portion of the valve body is provided with a seal 97 which engages tapered portion 90 when the valve is tightly threaded into bore 87. Of course, it will be noted that stem 95 is of sufficient length to engage r-ivet 79 so that downward movement of the diaphragm is capable of overcoming the force of spring 96 and opening the valve. Furthermore, it is to be understood that valves 56 and 92 are composed of stainless steel so .as to be highly corrosion-resistant and thereby suitable for use in connection with beverages for human consumption.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 7 which illustrates a safety valve 100 which is incorporated as an integral portion of the regulator 70 and which constitutes an important feature of the present invention. This safety valve includes a threaded sleeve 101 which is received in a threaded socket 102 the latter of which is in communication with control chamber 76 through a passage 103. Sleeve 101 includes a central bore 104, a counterbore 105, and a port 106 the latter of which is of reduced diameter. Bore 104 houses a spring 107 one end of which bears against the upper end of the sleeve and the other end of which bears against a button 4103 which holds a spherical check valve 109 in sealing relationship with an O-ring 4110. The entire assembly is retained in position by a washer 111 abutting the valve body 71.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that if the pressure in the control chamber should exceed the preset value determined by spring 107, ball valve 109 will be lifted away from O-ring 110 so that the excessive pressure may be vented through passage 103 and around ball valve 109 to atmosphere through port 106.

The provision of safety valve .100 as an integral part of the regulator is important for several reasons. First, it positively prevents the build-up of high pressure in the keg even upon complete failure of valve 92. For example, it is conceivable that improper installation or a defect in seal 97 might permit high pressure fluid to flow around the valve causing uncontrolled pressure increase in the keg. While bottle 40 is designed to withstand pressures in excess of 900 psi, the keg is designed for operation at to 12 psi. Since no reasonable safety factor in the keg design could prevent explosion thereof if seal 97 should fail, valve 100 functions to positively prevent the keg from exploding into dangerous fragments.

Reference is now made to the check valve-adaptor 115 shown in FIGURE 3. The right end 116 of the adaptor is threadedly received in outlet connection 86 of regulator 70 while the left end 117 is threaded for the reception of a conduit 123. As shown in FIGURE 1, conduit i123 leads to a press-urizing tap 125 connected to the rear end of the keg, however, it will be readily apparent that threaded end 117 of adaptor 115 may be connected directly to the beverage tap 36 in those instances where a single tap is used for both pressurizing and dispensing. In either event, the adaptor includes an internal check valve 118 which is positioned in a counterbore 119 communicating with an axially extending bore 120. Check valve :118 is of the flexible flap type having abutting lip portions which seal against the passage of beverage from the keg toward the regulator. Conversely, the lip portions open under pressure so as to admit the pressurizing gas from the outlet of the regulator into the keg. This valve is preferably secured in place within counterbore 1119 by a retainer 121.

It will also be noted that the intermediate portion of adaptor 115 is enlarged at 122 and is provided with an external polygonal surface so as to be gripped by a wrench during assembly of the system. Furthermore, it will be noted that a groove 124 is provided in the external surface of adaptor 115 adjacent enlarged portion 122. Groove 124 constitutes a frangible break or scored line so that, in the event of excessive shocks to the system, the point of rupture will necessarily occur at the groove. This is an additional safety provision so that, if the system were dropped, the break would occur at a point where the pressurizing system is at low pressure rather that at the extremely high pressure which occurs upstream of regulator 70. Of course, a rupture at groove 124 would result in loss of the pressurizing fluid as well as a certain portion of the beverage. However, it insures against the possibility of a rupture such as between bottle 40 and valve which would result in the release of high pressure fluid directly from the bottle.

Lastly, it will be noted that an O-ring 126 is provided between adaptor 1115 and conduit .123 for sealing this connection.

Assembly and operation Before describing the operation of the system, several factors are of importance during the initial assembly of the system. First, it is to be understood that valve unit 45 is threaded into bottle 40 with the application of considerable force so as to ifOll'lL an inseparable sub-assembly which cannot be disconnected by the distributor or user. Similarly, filter-adaptor unit 60 and valve-adaptor unit 115 are made virtually inseparable from regulator 70 and the latter is tamper-proof by reason of rivets 73. Thus, there is only one point of permissible disconnection upstream of valve unit 115 and this is between valve unit 45 and filter unit 60.

As previously explained, the entire dispensing unit shown in FIGURE 1 is intended for multiple re-use over several years. Therefore, in describing the operation, it will be assumed that the unit has been returned to the distributor for refilling. This is accomplished by opening cover 21, withdrawing tap 1125 and removing the keg. Bottle 40 is then turned by hand so that valve unit 45 begins to unscrew from filter unit 60. As these two units begin to separate, abutment 66 is retracted from engagement with stem 57 of valve 56 so that the internal spring closes the valve assisted by whatever pressure remains in bottle 40. As the two units continue to separate, bleed 59 passes over O-ring 69 so that any trapped fluid escapes radially through the bleed passage to atmosphere. It will be noted that this pressure release occurs while units 45 and 60 are still in threaded engagement so that the final separation of the units does not occur with high pres sure fluid trapped therebetween.

After the bottle and valve unit 45 are separated as a unit, the bottle is refilled by threaded attachment of the valve unit to a liquid CO refilling machine. Although the refilling machine is not illustrated, it will be understood that it includes a connector similar in design to adaptor unit 60 so that stem 57 of valve 56 is. depressed during the filling operation. Subsequent to the refilling of the keg and the bottle, both are reconnected and the system is ready for operation.

In use, the system operates as follows. Valve 56 is always held open by abutment 66 so that the liquid CO at an initial pressure of approximately 900 psi. surrounds the external surface of filter 67. Assuming that valve 92 is momentarily opened due to a pressure drop in chamber 76 caused by the dispensing of beverage from the keg, filter 67 permits a slight amount of pressurizing fluid to pass therethrough. However, the high flow resistance of the filter produces a pressure drop in the order of 10 to 20 psi. across the filter. This results in the transformation of the CO from the liquid to the gaseous state and a small volume of the gas flows through open valve 92, chamber 76, passage 89, check valve 118, and through conduit 123 to the keg. Of course, as soon as the gas flows through the resricted passage formed by valve body 93, the gas expands since control chamber 76 and keg 35 are at a low pressure in the order of 10 to 12 psi. The gas continues to flow through valve 92 until the pressure in chamber 76 reaches the predetermined value set by spring 80, whereupon diaphragm 77 moves upwardly allowing the valve to close under the influence of internal spring 96. The predetermined pressure is then maintained in the keg until further dispensing of beverage occurs at which time the cycle of Valve operation is repeated.

During continued use, the keg becames progressively lighter in weight and the previously described scale assembly continuously indicates the amount of beverage remaining in the keg. If a faster or slower rate of dispensing is desired, handle 83b may be turned so as to vary the biasing force on spring 80. This determines the pressure which is maintained in the keg and thereby determines the rate of delivery from the keg.

Lastly, it is to be noted that handle 83b may be turned to an off position in which spring exerts no biasing force upon the diaphragm. In this position, valve 92 cannot open against the biasing force of internal spring 96 regardless of the pressure in chamber 76.

From the foregoing description, it Will be apparent that the present invention meets all of the general objects and advantages set forth hereinabove and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited other than as specifically set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid dispensing system including: a container containing a fluid to be dispensed; outlet means for dispensing fluid from said container; a source of high pressure gas; a pressure regulator having a body, an inlet and an outlet in said body; first conduit means connecting said inlet to said source of high pressure gas; second conduit means connecting said outlet to said container; said regulator including a valve within said body for controlling the passage of gas from said inlet to said outlet; pressure responsive diaphragm means within said body for controlling the operation of said valve; spring means having one end engaging said diaphragm; a plate engaged by the opposite end of said spring; a threaded stem extending through said body, the interior end of said stem being secured to said plate; a handle secured to the exterior end of said stern; a reference mark on the exterior surface of said body; indicia means on said handle calibrated in terms of the flow rate of the fluid dispensed from said container, the pitch of the threads on said stem being such as to limit rotation of said handle to less than one revolution corresponding to axial movement of said stem between a first position wherein said plate engages the interior of said body and a second position wherein said handle engages the exterior of said body, said valve including a cylindrical valve body disposed within said regulator body; means sealing said valve body with re spect to said regulator body; a valve head adapted to seat against the end of said valve body; a valve stem extending through said valve body and interconnecting said valve head and said diaphragm; and spring means within said valve body biasing said valve head into closed position.

2. The dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 further including a threaded socket in said regulator body, passage means connecting the interior end of said socket With said regulator outlet, a retainer threaded into said socket, a safety valve located Within said socket, and a spring maintained within said socket by said retainer for biasing said safety valve towards closed position with a predetermined biasing force.

3. A miniaturized pressure regulator including a body and a dome-shaped cover, said cover forming a first chamber, a recess in said body forming a second chamher, a diaphragm having peripheral portions clamped between said cover and body, said diaphragm sealing said first chamber from said second chamber, a compression spring in said first chamber having one end in engagement with said diaphragm, means for setting the biasing force of said spring, a blind bore in said body, the open end of said blind bore communicating with said second chamber, an inlet passage in said body communicating with said bore, a valve in said bore controlling the passage of fluid from said inlet to said second chamber, said valve including a cylindrical valve body disposed within said bore; means sealing said valve body in said bore; a valve head adapted to seat against the end of said valve body; a valve stem extending through said valve body and interconnecting said valve head and said diaphragm; spring means within said valve body biasing said valve head into closed position; an outlet passage in communication with said second chamber; a threaded socket extending into said regulator body; passage means connecting the interior end of said socket with said second chamber; a retainer threaded into said socket; a safety valve within said socket; and a spring maintained within said socket by said retainer for biasing said safety valve towards closed position With a predetermined force.

4. A beverage dispensing system including a beverage container, outlet means for dispensing beverage from said container, a source of high pressure gas, an outlet valve unit permanently secured to said source, a stem valve contained Within said unit, a pressure regulator, means connecting said regulator to said beverage container, an adaptor unit permanently secured to said regulator and removably secured to said valve unit, means connected to said adaptor for automatically opening said stem valve upon interconnection of said two units, means for automatically closing said valve unit upon partial separation of said units prior to complete disconnection of said units, bleed passage means positioned such that pressure trapped between said units is released upon partial separation of said units prior to complete disconnection of said units, and a heat-responsive safety valve in said valve unit upstream of said stem valve.

5. A miniaturized pressure regulator including a body and a cover, said cover forming a first chamber; a recess in said body forming a second chamber; a diaphragm having peripheral portions clamped between said cover and body, said diaphragm sealing said first chamber from said second chamber; a compression spring in said first chamber having one end in engagement with said diaphragm; a plate engaged by the opposite end of said spring; a threaded stem extending through said cover; the interior end of said stem being secured to said plate; a handle secured to the exterior end of said stern; a reference mark on the exterior surface of said body; indicia means on said handle calibrated in terms proportional to the biasing force imposed by said spring upon said diaphragm, the pitch of the threads on said stem being such as to limit rotation of said handle to less than one revolution corresponding to axial movement of said stern between a first position wherein said plate engages the interior of said cover and a second position wherein said handle engages the exterior of said cover; an inlet and an outlet in said body; valve means within said body controlling flow from said inlet to said outlet in response to the position of said diaphragm; a threaded socket in said regulator body; passage means connecting the interior end of said socket with said regulator outlet, a retainer threaded into said socket, a safety valve located Within said socket, and a spring maintained within said socket by said retainer for biasing said safety valve towards closed position with a predetermined biasing force.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 575,932 1/1897 .Nageldinger 222-399 706,423 8/ 1902 Kleinfeldt 222-399 2,017,664 10/1935 Leins 222-399 2,307,309 1/1943 Thomas 222-54 X 2,514,147 7/1950 Thomas 222-54 X 2,571,433 10/1951 Fine et al 222-399 X 2,597,479 5/1952 Hammon 137-505.42 2,632,462 3/1953 Selwyn 137-322 2,733,835 2/1956 Alfery 222-189 X 2,867,234 l/ 1959 Billington l37-505.11 2,887,123 5/1959 Becker 137-505.11 2,918,081 12/1959 Lauer 137-505.11 3,100,504 8/1963 Kauer 137-505.42 X 3,127,059 3/1964 Lawrence 222-399 X 3,128,019 4/1964 Mills 222-399 X 3,147,889 9/1964 Dolgin 222-399 X 3,150,388 9/1964 Oliphant 222-3 X FOREIGN PATENTS 553,225 12/1956 Belgium.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

4. A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A BEVERAGE CONTAINER, OUTLET MEANS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGE FROM SAID CONTAINER, A SOURCE OF HIGH PRESSURE GAS, AN OUTLET VALVE UNIT PERMANENTLY SECURED TO SAID SOURCE, A STEM VALVE CONTAINED WITHIN SAID UNIT, A PRESSURE REGULATOR, MEANS CONNECTING SAID REGULATOR TO SAID BEVERAGE CONTAINER, AN ADAPTTOR UNIT PERMANENTLY SECURED TO SAID REGULATOR AND REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID VALVE UNIT, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ADAPTOR FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING SAID STEM FOR AUTOUPON INTERCONNECTION OF SAID TWO UNITS, MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING SAID VALVE UNIT UPON PARTIAL SEPARATION OF SAID UNITS PRIOR TO COMPLETE DISCONNECTION OF SAID UNITS, BLEED PASSAGE MEANS POSITIONED SUCH THAT PRESSURE TRAPPED BETWEEN SAID UNITS IS RELEAASED UPON PARTIAL SEPARATION OF SAID UNITS PRIOR TO COMPLETE DISCONNECTION OF SAID UNITS, AND A HEAT-RESPONSIVE SAFETY VALVE IN SAID VALVE UNIT UPSTREAM OF SAID STEM VALVE. 